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Inverness CT Aberdeen 1: Rampant Inverness mugged by Whelan

THIS time last year, Craig Brewster stood shoulder to shoulder with the two Jimmys as Dunfermline marched to the Scottish Cup final. Now they are on opposite sides and in different jobs, and the rookie Inverness player-manager discovered some harsh realities of life in charge as his experienced Aberdeen rivals, Messrs Calderwood and Nicholl, mugged his side.

Aberdeen had only two real chances, but Noel Whelan’s first-half effort was the one which counted, keeping his side a point behind third-placed Hibs and inflicting damage on the Highlanders’ hopes of reaching the top six. Yet it is a mark of how far the league newcomers have progressed that Calderwood could show magnanimity at the end. “They deserved a draw,” he admitted. “But at this time of year, points are more important than performances.”

On a perfect afternoon the crowds poured into the trim little Caledonian stadium, so many that the kick-off